Execution Report: Richard Williams

Richard Head Williams, 33, was executed by lethal injection on 25 February 2003 in Huntsville, Texas for the contract killing of a 44-year-old woman.

In March 1997, Bruce and Michelle Gilmore approached a friend, Jerrol Blueford, about killing Jeanette Williams, 44. Williams was an acquaintance of the Gilmores and had lived with them at various times. She was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair after being shot by her husband 21 years earlier. She was also addicted to crack cocaine. Bruce Gilmore owned a $25,000 life insurance policy on Williams. Blueford declined the Gilmore's request, but he introduced them to Richard Williams, then 27, a friend who had just been released from prison and was living with him. Richard Williams agreed to murder Jeanette Williams (no relation) for $12,000.

On 24 March 1997, the Gilmores, Richard, and Jeanette drove to an area near downtown Houston, ostensibly to buy cocaine. While Bruce Gilmore stayed in the car, Michelle and Richard pushed Jeanette in her wheelchair toward the corner of the sidewalk. Richard then grabbed Jeanette's forehead from behind and slit her throat with a nine-inch steak knife. After she fell from her wheelchair, Richard repeatedly stabbed her in the chest. Michelle joined her husband in the car and they drove away, leaving Richard at the crime scene. They drove to Blueford's house and told him that Richard Williams had murdered Jeanette. They gave Blueford $400 to give to Williams and told him not to tell Williams where they were going.

When Williams returned to Blueford's house, his hand was wrapped in a blood-soaked towel. He asked Blueford if the Gilmores had left anything for him. When Blueford gave Williams the $400, Williams became upset and said that he was going to find and murder the Gilmores.

Williams had prior convictions for burglary, arson, and aggravated sexual assault. He was sentenced to four concurrent 10-year sentences in 1987 at age 17. He never received parole, due to over 100 disciplinary violations. He was discharged in February 1997 after completing his term.

Continued on Page 2